§ 14. Mr. JANNERasked the Postmaster-General, what number of complaints have been made to him of the theft of letters and parcels sent by post containing postal orders during the last 12 months or any part thereof concerning which particulars are available; how many reports of forgeries of postal orders he has had in the same periods; and what steps his Department is taking to deal with the position?
§ Major TRYONDuring the first six months of this year approximately 29,500 complaints have been made of the theft of letters and parcels sent by post containing postal orders but in the majority of these cases there was no evidence that theft occurred in the post. There have been no cases during this period of fabricated orders but in two cases, in both of which the offender was convicted, orders have been altered to higher amounts. As regards the last part of the question the position is not a new one and special machinery for dealing with it has existed in the Post Office for many years past.
§ Mr. JANNERHas the right hon. Gentleman heard any complaints with regard to forgeries because of the ink used in printing postal orders, and will he make inquiries as to whether a less fugitive ink might be used instead of that at present used, so that the risk of alterations would be substantially reduced and almost eliminated?
§ Major TRYONOf course we do everything we can to safeguard public funds against any alteration of postal orders.